Spark’s handlebars felt appropriately sized for the bike, and the
Maxxis Forekaster tires hooked up great on many different surfaces.

Descending: The Spark is known for being a cross-country
race bike, but its 120 millimeters of travel and dropper post say
otherwise. Our testers were pleasantly surprised with the Spark’s
ability to tackle rough trails, especially considering how quickly
the bike allowed us to climb back up. The Fox 34 fork provided
great performance, but our rear end, even at 20-percent sag,
seemed to bottom out quite often on technical trails with large
rocks and roots. This bike is, however, a nimble machine that
packs a solid punch for the way down.

Braking: SRAM Level Ultimates are top-of-the-line brakesintended for cross-country and light trail use. They paired well withthe Spark and allowed our test riders to ride worry-free, knowingthey could safely stop with just one finger on each brake. SRAMbuilt the Level Ultimates with lightweight carbon levers and titani-um hardware. The brakes have a reach adjustment to comfortablyfit many riders’ hands and have two-piece rotors to help dissipateheat.

TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?

The Scott Spark Ultimate is a top-of-the-line bike that is ready
to rip right out of the box. Its component spec is enough for any
rider to drool over, and it weighs next to nothing. Our test riders
pushed this Spark as if it were a trailbike, so they required the rear

Ready to soar: SRAM’s new Eagle drivetrain gives riders a wide 12-speed gear ratio, perfect for tackling climbs or pedaling hard
on flat sections of trail. The front chainring uses a redesigned tooth profile to secure the chain in place, and the rear derailleur has
a clutch to prevent chain slap.

Going up: Thanks to the
TwinLoc feature, riders are
given the ability to damp their
suspension on the fly. This
allows the Spark to have a
stiff and efficient feel when
heading up the trails.